Admiral Kimmel kept the aircraft carriers away from Pearl Harbor, a decision that materially aided the later American recovery. The extra tankers and fuel requested by Kimmel and Admiral Richardson might also have allowed the battleships to disperse into separate task forces, leaving only part of the battle line in port. Operational readiness at Pearl Harbor depended on the fleet train as well as command decisions about where to place the ships.
Notable Point · 28:05-28:25
Tankers could have changed Pearl Harbor dispersal
A short Pearl Harbor response connects Admiral Kimmel's requests for tankers and fuel with the ability to keep more battleships at sea in separate task forces.